MADISON — State Rep. Todd Novak has been appointed to serve as a member of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Board of Directors.

Novak represents Wisconsin’s 51st Assembly District, which includes the city of Dodgeville, central and western Iowa County, Lafayette County, as well as southwest Green County, southeast Richland County and southwest Sauk County. A native of Cobb, Novak was first elected to the Assembly in Nov. 2014.

“Our rural Wisconsin communities face unique housing challenges and WHEDA is excited to welcome Rep. Novak to the Board of Directors,” said WHEDA CEO Joaquín Altoro. “The insights he brings from his legislative work as well as his experience as Mayor of Dodgeville and his journalism background with the Dodgeville Chronicle add to the depth and breadth of the board. We’re grateful for his leadership and support.”

In addition to his role on the WHEDA Board, Novak serves as the chairman of the Assembly Committee on Local Government while also serving on the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Committee on Rural Development and Committee on the Environment, among others. Among his recent proposals is legislation to update statutes and encourage farmland preservation.

“While rural communities like Dodgeville are fortunate to have a strong and diverse employment base, the shortage of affordable housing is affecting economic opportunity and the quality of life for many people,” Novak said. “WHEDA’s affordable single-family loans, down payment assistance and home improvement loan products also are important in encouraging homeownership in rural areas. I look forward to collaborating with other WHEDA Board members as we tackle affordable and workforce housing challenges that affect rural and urban communities alike.”

WHEDA board members include the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration (or designee), the CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp., and six public members nominated by the governor and appointed by the state senate. In addition, two state senators, one from each party and selected by senate leadership, and two state representatives, one from each party and selected by assembly leadership, also serve on the WHEDA Board. Members serve staggered four-year terms.